Northampton public overwhelm with Christmas generosity

Hundreds of people, many of whom included Northampton Saints supporters, who generously donated toys for the Big Christmas Toy Collection are being thanked by Travis Perkins bosses.

The collection, now in its fourth year, took place in the Match Day Village at Franklin’s Gardens before last Friday’s Aviva Premiership game against Newcastle.

All the hundreds of new toys donated by supporters, local people and Travis Perkins customers, will be sent out by Northamptonshire Social Services to children and young people in care and in need across the town in time for Christmas.

Travis Perkins’ divisional chief executive officer, Paul Tallentire, who attended the event organised by employees from the company and the Saints team said: “The fantastic generosity of local people and Saints supporters just grows and grows every year we hold this important event with the club and we are hugely appreciative of the kindness that people show.

“Christmas is an expensive time but the fact that people find a bit of spare cash to purchase something new to put a smile on the face of a child or young person is truly overwhelming.”

“This year we’re also collecting for four hospitals and in all we hope to help about 5,000 children.

“I would like to thank everyone who has donated, whether if they are supporters of the Saints, customers of Travis Perkins, or our employees. Every donation is gratefully accepted and everyone who has taken part will know that they have made a real difference to a child or young person who really needs it.”

Donations are still being accepted at the main reception at Franklin’s Gardens during opening hours if supporters would like to add to the collections that have already been made.

Any donations should be new, unwrapped, and cost less than £10. For some ideas and more information about this special community project from the Saints and their principal sponsors head to www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/xmascollection.

A full feature on the Travis Perkins Big Christmas Toy Collection will be in this week’s The Saints TV Show, available for free at www.youtube.com/TheSaintsTV.